Race-course barrier and starting device.



PATENTBD M0910', 19o?. PAWoLoWsKI' D. MCGLADDERY & J RAGE COURSE BARRIER A-ND ST'ARIIBHJf DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY. 1907.

Witnesses 'ms Nunms PETERS co WASHINGTON, 1.' 4 'c.

. 'v PATENTED-DEG. 10, 1907. D. MCGLADDERY & J. PAWOLOWSK'I.

I RACE COURSE BARRIER AND STARTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY. 1907.

No. 873,162. w

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

THE NnRRls PETERS ca., wAsHINcroN, D. c.

No. 873,162. PATBNTED DEC. 10, 1907.

D. MCGLADDERY L J. PAWoLoWsKI.

RACB COURSE BARRIER AND STARTING DEVICBV APPLICATION FILED JULY 5, 1907.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Iii/'C 7.

Wit/n, esses No. 873,162 PATENTBD DEG. 10, 1907.

D. MCGLADDERY & J. PAWOLOWSKKI. RACE COURSE BARRIER AND STARTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION 'FILED JULY 5.1907.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Fig. 15.

'rl-n: NoRRrs PETERS co., wAsmNcroN, n. c.

l PATRNT'RD DRG. 1o, 19o?. D. MOGLADDRRY & J. PAWoLowsKI. RAGE COURSE BARRIER AND STARTINGDRVIGR.

VNoI 873,162.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 5. 1907.

9 n'ey 6 SHEETS-SHBHT 5.

1H: Nonms PErsRs co., wAsHlNaraN, l:A c,

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEErcE.r

DAVID MCGLADDERY, OF NEWPORT, KENTUCKY, AND JACOB, PAWOLOWSKI, OF CINCINNATI,

OHIO. l

RACE-COURSE BARRIER AND STARTING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

lPatented Dec. 1o, 1907.

Application filed July 5. 1907. Serial No. 382.162.

To all whom it may concern. i

Be it known that we, DAvrD MCGLAD- DERY and JACOB PAWoLoWsKI, citizens of the United States, residing, respectively, in Newport, in the county of Campbell and State of Kentucky, and in Cincinnati, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Race-Course Barriers and Starting Devices, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to means for alining the horses on the race course and for giving a signal for starting the horses, the object of our invention being to effect this alinement by means of a tape or barrier stretched across the course, and the removal of this tape as a part of the signal for starting, 4with the least chance of interfering with the horses or riders after they have started.

Our invention consists in a tape, a reel mounted to revolve against the tension of a spring to yieldingly support said tape, an arm adapted to guide said tape, means for actuating said arm, and means for holding and releasing said arm together with the parts, and the details of construction and arrangement of parts, as will hereinafter be more fully described and claimed. i

In the drawingsz-Figure 1 is a side elevation of our invention, parts being broken away for lack of space, other parts broken away tobetter illustrate the construction and part of the arm being illustrated in restrained position by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a section on the line x-ac of Fig. 1, illustrating the construction of the arm actuating device. Fi 3 is a section on the line y-y of Fig. 1, ilustrating the-construction and means of mounting the reel and arm, also showing the pulley mountings of the releasing cord. Fig. 4 is a partial rear elevation of the heads and reels in their relative positions as they are mounted on the opposite sides of the race course, illustrating the pulley mountingsof the releasing cord. Fig. 5 is a partial front elevation showing the construction of the stop spring for the arm. Fig. 6 isl a partial view of the arm and the mountings for'guiding and forming a con venient release for the tape. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the single roller frame with the spring washer in position therein. Fig. 8 is a plan view of same. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the safety releasing frame with the retaining hook attached. Fig. 10 is a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the double roller frame. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of same. Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view ofl the clip used for attaching the double roller frame to the arm. Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the safety releasing clamp in open position. Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the use of our invention on the race course and the means of operating a arm being i ustrated in restrained position by means of dotted lines` Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the means of operating our invention electrically, also illustrating the means of operating a gong simultaneously with it in the same manner. Fig.` 17 is a side elevation of the armv retaining and releasing device `as mechanically operated. Fig. 18 is a plan view of same. Fig. 19 is a partial elevation of the cord attaching device as used with the mechanically operated arm` retaining and releasing device. Fig. 20 is a side elevation of the arm retaining and releasing device as electrically operated.

As we prefer to construct our invention, we provide the head 1 mounted on the upright post 2 by means of the hook 3 taking over the upper end of said post 2, said head 1 being further secured to said post 2 by means of the pin 4 taking through said post 2 into the rear'end and also supported by the stirrup 5 on the post 2 of said head 1. The post 2 is secured by means of bolts 6 to a post 7 which is set into the ground adjacent to the race course. The device is thus rendered portable and is adapted to be readily moved from place to place about the track. The head 1 has side members 8 and 9 and the spindle l0 passes transversely therethrough and is held from revolvingy by means of the cotter pin 11 passing diametrically through it, which cotter pin 11 has a pin 12 passing through its eye and secured in the side member S, as is best illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. y

Rotatably mounted uponv the spindle 10, between the side members 8 and 9 is the l channel arm 13 which receives in the channel on its lower face thespring arm 14.I This spring arm 14 is secured `to the channel arm 1.3 at the rear by means of the tap screw 15 and forwardly by means of the clip 16 which. also secures the bracket 17 on. the upper part gong simultaneously with it, the

of the channel arm 13, and the stay rod 18 is slidably secured in the bracket 17 and prevented from leaving it by the nut 19. This stay rod 18 is preferably provided with the bridge 18L and extends along the spring arm 14 to a point near its forward end where 1t has the collar 20, formed integral therewith, and which collar 2O grips the spring arm so that said spring arm 14 is allowed to yield upwardly but is prevented from yielding downwardly by means of the tension of said stay rod 18. -Passing through the channel arm 13 and the spring arm 14 slightly forward of the tap screw 15 is the cable 21. This cable 21 is secured below the spring arm 14 by means of a head 22 and passes up- Wardly through the top 23, of the head 1. lts upper end is secured in the screw plug 24, and the easing 25 surrounds the cable and passes through the top 23 of the head. 1, being prevented from sliding up out of the top 23 by means of a collar 26, screwed onto its lower end and preferably riveted thereto. A spiral spring 27 surrounds the casing 25 and is confined between the top 23 and an adjusting nut 28 running on threads 29 on the casing 25. This adjusting nut 28 is provided with the lock nut 30. The purpose of plug 24 is to adjust the tension on the cable 21 and it is provided with adjusting nut 31 and look nut 31a above the casing 25. To reinforce the upper end of the adjusting plug 24, the collar 32 is screwed onto it. The upper end of the cable 21 is secured in the adjusting plug 24 preferably by spreading its Strands in the Haring space 33 of the adjusting plug 24, and then filling this space with a dense material such as lead. The lower end of the cable 21 is preferably secured to the head 22 in a similar manner.

Outside of the side member 9 the inner reel casing 34 is rotatably mounted on the spindle 10, which inner reel casing is provided with the hub 35 to give it the proper bearing surface. Forming part of the reel casing 34 is the channel 36 which receives the tape used as a barrier. The outer reel easing 37 is removably attached to the channel 36 of the inner reel casing 34 by means of screws 38, and is also provided with a hub 39 to give it a bearing surface upon the spindle 10, when it rotates with the inner reel casing 34.' A washer 40 and outer cotter pin 41 removably secure the reel thus formed by means of the inner and outer reel casings 34 and 37 respectively, upon the spindle 10. The reason for securing the outer reel easing 37 removably to the inner reel casing 34 is to permit access to the spring 42 which has one of its ends attached to channel 36 of the inner reel easing 34 by means of the hook 43, and has its other end secured to the spring hub 44 by means of the hook 45. A key pin 46 is secured in the spindle 10 and the spring hub 44 has a slot 47 which receives the key l ing device.

pin 46, and which compels the spring hub i4 to remain stationary with the spindle 1U.

The outer end of the spring arm 14 is prolonged past the collar 2() of the stay red 18, as at 48, and is adapted to bear against the retaining roll 49 of the retaining and releas- The retaining and releasing dcviee has a bifurcated frame 5() which is secured by its back 51 in the stirrup 52 bolted to the upright post 2. T his frame 5() is prevented from rising out of the stirrup by means of the pin 53 which takes inl o the post 2 just above the back 51 of the lralne 50. The retaining roll frame 54 is pivoted in the frame 5() by means of a pin 55, hich is secured from rotating by means of the screw 56 in the side of the frame 5i). This retaining roll frame 54 carries the retaining roll 49 rotatably on the retaining roll spindle 57, which is rotatably mounted in the retaining roll frame 54 and held from lateral displacement therefrom by means of the key 58 taking into the annular slot 59 in the end of the spindle 57, which extends outside of the retaining roll frame 54. A screw 66 takes through the slot 6] in the key 58 and adjustably secures it to the frame 54. A stud 62 is provided on the inner surface el' the front of the retaining` roll frame 54, ex-

tending rearwardly, and the releasing tension bar 63 is secured on said stud by means of its eye 64. This tension rod 623 passes .through a guide 65 pivotally secured ou the side of the frame 50, by means of a tap screw 66, and the spiral releasing spring 67 surrounds the tension rod 63 and is secured br tween the guide 65 and the thumb nut 68 working on the thread 69 of the tension rod 63. This thumb nut 68 is provided for the purpose of adjusting the spiral spring 67. The retaining roll .frame 54 is also provided with aliandle 70 which has a loop 71 adapted to receive the linger for raising the frame 5--1 against the pressure of the spiral spring 67. The retaining roll frame 54 is held in raised position by means of the trigger 72, u hich is pivoted in the frame 56, by means of the tap screws 73, these tap screws having the plain studs 74 and 75 respectively which 'form the pivots for said trigger 72. ln order to permit of nice adjustment of the trigger 72 relative to the frame 54, we provide the loner forward edge of the frame 54 and the upper rearward edge of the trigger 72 with hardened facings 76 and 77 respectively. 'lhese facings are secured to the frame 54 and the trigger 72 by the screws 78 and 79 respectively. The adjustment of the trigger 72 is secured by means of the adjusting screw 8() mounted in the slidable bracket 8i. 'This adjusting screw 8() is provided with a lock nut 82 bearing against the bracket 81. The slidable bracket 81 preferably takes over the extensions of the frame 5l) as at 83 and 84 respectively, and is secured thereto by means of the bolts 85 and 86 respectively,'l frame 50 by means of'a bolt'107 and a screw which pass through the slots'. 87 and 88 respectively, in said extensions. This slidable bracket is provided for supporting the electro-magnet 89 when it is desired to operate the .releasing device electrically, it being necessary to support the electro-magnet 89 adjustably in order to adjust it to secure the best results of the magnetic action. This arrangement is illustrated in detail in Fig. 20

' of the draw ings, where the trigger 7 2a is held against the pole .90 of the magnet 89 to support the retaining roll frame 54 in its raised position. The trigger 72a is provided with the handle 91 for operating it manually in case of necessity, and is held against the pole 90, by the magnetic action in opposition to the force of its spiral spring 92, which is compressed between a bracket 93, attached to the frame 50 and a washer 94 held upon a tension rod 95 by means of a nut 96 and lock nut 97. rlhis tension rod 9'5 has a loop which receives the hook 98 at its forward end, thishook being secured in the trigger 7 2a. Thus when the field of' the electromagnet 89 is destroyed by interruption of the current in its coils, the spiral spring 92 will act to draw the upper end of the trigger 72a from under the end of the frame 54 and allow the frame 54 to be drawn downward by the action of the spring 67 so'that if the end portion 48 of the spring arm 14 has been retained by bearing against the retaining roll 49, it would now be released and the arm would be drawn quickly upward by the action of the spring 27. For electrical operation the wiring may be done as illustrated in Fig. 16 of the drawings, where two retaining and releasing devices are represented, the electro-magnets 89 of which are in series with the velectro-magnet 99 of the gong 100, and also with the battery 101 and the push button switch 102. In use, one of the retaining and releasing devices would be on each side ofthe race course and the gong 100 with its electro-magnet 99 would be placed at some distance to the rear of one of the retainingand releasin i devices, in which case, with the wiring as i ustrated, the operation of the switch 102 would break the circuit and interrupt the current of the battery 101, releasing the trigger of each of the retaining and releasing devices and the hammer 103 of the gong 100 simultaneously, and as nearly instantaneously as the action of the electromagnet permits.

While we illustrate and describe the electrical construction and. connections, we prefer to operate one improved race course barrier and starting device mechanically, for which purpose we provide the trigger 72 of the retaining and releasing device with an an nular rearward extension 104, and mount the trigger operating tension rod 105 vertically in a guide 106 attached to one side of the .the starter to operate the device.

108. This tension rod has the releasing cord 109 attached to its upper end and this releasing cord passes upward over a pulley 110 on the head 1 transversely to and around the pulley 111, back to and around the pulley 112, then transversely to and around the lug 113 on the link 114, then around the pulley 115, which is journaled concentrically with the pulley 112, from where it passes to the head 1 on the opposite side of the race course over a pulley 116 mounted thereon, and downward where it is secured to the tension rod 105 of the retaining and releasing device on the opposite side of the race course. The link 114 is formed with a bend to permit it to pass over the bracket 118 and yet retain the proper alinement, during the movement of the lever 117, with the pulleys 112 and 115 which are mounted in the bracket 118. This bracket 118 is rigidly secured to the side 9 of the head 1. p the link 114, the lever 117 has attached to it the cord 119 which is grasped by the hand of It will be seen 'th at when the lever 117 is pulled backward by the starter, the lug 113 of the link 114 will be forced backward, drawing the cord around the rpulleys 112 and 115 by means of the loop which is formed around this lug 113, and the tension rods 105 on both sides of the race course will be drawn upward.

The tension rod 105 is threaded on its lower ortion and receives the thumb nut 120 beow the extension 104 of the trigger 72. This extension has the radial slot 121 to allow it to work on the tension rod 105 and be drawn upward by the thumb nut 120 bearing against its lower surface. A spiral spring 122 is confined between the lowerend of the guide 106 and the extension 104,` to normally bear said extension 104 downward and hold the upper edge of the trigger 72 under the frame 54, taking the place in the mechanical construction, of the iield of the electro-magnet 89 in the electrical construction. Preferably a washer 123 is placed under the spiral spring 122. lnrorder to secure a nearer approach to instantaneous action, with the use of the cord 109, the spiral spring 124 (Fig.

Above the pivotal connection of" 17) is coniined within the guide 106 between a nut 125 on the tension rod 105, and the upper end of the guide 106. The spring 124 will act against the raising of the tension rod 105, as does also the spiral spring A122 and the adjusting of these springs will determine the amount of force required to release the device. At the same time, by increasing the tension of the cord 109 and decreasing the bearing surface between thetrigger 72 and the frame 54 the amount of movement required to release the device will be decreased, so that such delicate adjustment may be secured ythat a slight touch upon the cord 109 will be sufficient to release and allow the spiral spring 27 to throw the arm upward quickly. Washers 126 are placed adjacent to the spiral spring 124 and the adjusting nut 125 to permit the tension rod 105 to turn freely in its guide 106. The purpose of the thumb nut 120 is to take up the lost motion caused by adjusting the trigger 72 by means of the screw 30, and the adjusting ofthe teneion'rod 105 by means of the nut 125.

To permit of convenient and secure attachment of the cord 109 to the tension rod 105 we provide the eccentric clamp 127 which is best illustrated in Fig. 19 in the drawings, 'where the method of attaching the cord is illustrated by dotted lines. It will be seen that the increase of tension on the part 123 of the cord tends to tighten the grip of the knurled surface 129 of the eccentric cam 130, the cord being gripped against the side member 131 of the clamp. It will thus be seen that the releasing cord may be attached by simply Slipping it around the cam 130 and drawing upward on its free end until it becomes tight, then when the free end is released the strain of the cord will reverse the force on the cam and cause it to clamp the cord as described. To readily disengage the cord from the clamp the strain side of the cord is pulled around the Acam toward the free end of the cord, and laterally from the clamp and cam. The edge of the cam away from said side member is preferably smooth to permit of easy removal of the cord laterally from the vcam to release it from the clamp, and to avoid destroying the ber of the cord as it is drawn into or out of contact with the clamp.

The tape 132 is secured to the channel 36 of the reel as at 133 and is wound upon this reel by the action of the spring 42, the purpose of the reel being to hold a quantity of tape and to pay out this tape when the horses press forward against the barrier when being alined for starting. 1t also acts to maintain the tension of the tape, ywhen the arm is swung upward, by revolving simultaneously with the swinging of the arm. In order to obviate breakage or excessive unwinding from the reels in case a horse breaksV away, a safety releasing device is introduced into the line of tape at either side. This safety releasing device is applied by providing a sufficient length of tape on each reel to allow of ordinary movements of the horses without releasing the tape, and to the free end of this tape, which is provided upon each reel, a link 134 is attached which has the safety clamp 135 pivoted to its lower end. This safety clamp consists of two members 136 and 137 pivoted at their junction with the link 134 so that they may be swung apart as best illustrated in Fig. 14 of the drawings. The member 137 has the offset 133 on its inner side'while the member 136 has a smooth inside surface. The members 137 and 136 are provided on their outer sides with the inclined lugs 139 and 140 respectively, which lugs form bearing surfaces adapted to receive the ring 141 to hold the aws 1.36 and 137 together.

The barrier tape 132a has one of its ends clamped in each of these clamps by passing it around a cleat 142 adjacent to the ell'set 13S so that the under part of the tape is brought back over the standing part, the two parts being clamped between the members 136 and 137 by bringing the ring 141 down over the lugs 139 and 140. As shown, the cleat 142 consists of a loop loosely attached to the, member 137 and having laterally extending members to receive the tape which has the slit 143 to accommodate it to this form of cleat. However, in practice any thin, round body may be used for a cleat, such as a match stick in which case it would not be necessary to have the end of the tape split as shown. The tape 132'L passes downward and around. the single roller 144 thence laterally between. the rollers 145 and 146, which :maintain it in. such position that when the arm is in restrained position the tape will pass across the race course at about the height of the breasts of the horses and present its llat side to the horses. The rollers 145 and 146 are jonrnaled on the pins 147 and 143 respectively which are mounted in the roller frame 149 and held from turning by means of cotter pins 150 passing through both of the pins 147 and 148. This double roller frame 149 has the lips 151 extending before the rollers 145 and 146 to prevent the t: )e from clogging between the ends of the rol ers and the roller frame. The rollers 145 and 146 are preferably provided with bushings 152 and 153 respectively.

The roller frame 149 is secured rigidly to the spring arm 14 against the collar 20 of the stay rod 1.3, by which it is reinforced by means of a clip 154 which hooks around the side of the double roller frame adj accnt the roller 145 and embraces the spring arm 14 which is clamped between it and the roller frame 149 by means of bolts 155 passing through the side of the double roller frame 149 and the clip 154. The top of the roller frame 149 is provided with the oblique rib 156 to strengthen it, while the bottom of the frame forms a channel and the end opposite the rollers 145 and 146 is turned up and forms a support for the single roller frame 157 which is attached thereto by means of a bolt passing through openings in the upturned end of the roller frame 149 and the transverse part 153 of the roller trame 157. The roller frame 157 has upwardly extend,- ing parts 159 and 160 between which is mounted the single roller 144, preferably having the bushing 161 forming its ournal on the pin 162, which is secured in the upright parts 159 and 160 by means of cotter pins passing through it. Above the single roller 144 the upright parts 159 and 160 are brought together to forma pivotal support for the releasing frame 163 which opens upwardly and downwardly through which the tape 132a passes from the safety releasing clamp 135 to the single roller 144.- The opening of the releasing frame 163 is slightly smaller than the extent of the ring 141 on the safety` releasing clamp 135, so that when the tape 132L is drawn downward throu h the releasing frame 163, this ring 141 will be retarded by thek releasing frame, and if the tape is drawn farther, the ring 141 will be forced off of the lugs139 and 140 allowing the safety releasing clamp to open and release the tape 132a which is clamped therein. The releasing frame 1'63 is provided with upwardly extending hook 164, and where it is pivoted into the roller frame 157 it is provided with a spring washer 165 so that suflicient friction is developed between it and the adjacent upright member of the roller frame 157 to cause it to retain its position when adjusted. Normally the releasing frame 163 occupies a position at an angle slightly above the horizontal, with the hook 164 thrown backward, and when the ring 141 strikes it, the releasing frame 163 will be drawn downward and the hook 161 willbe drawn forward. The parts are so proportioned that the hook 164 will enter the link 134 as soon as the ring 141 begins to engage with the releasing frame 163, so that when the tape 132a is released from the safety releasing clamp, the hook 164 will catch the link 134 and sto the backward motion of the reel caused y the spring 42, holding the safety releasing clamp ready for re-attachment of the tape 132"L after it has been recovered. As a further precaution against the excessive backward turning of the reel, we preferably provide the safety releasing clamp 135 with downwardly extending hooks 166 and 167 which are adapted to engage with the lower edges of the releasing frame 163, as is best illustrated in Fig. 9, where may also be seen the means of securing the tape in the safety releasing clamp as represented by dotted lines. To re-attach the tape in the safety releasing clamp, the members 136 and 137 are swung apart as illustrated in Fig. 14 of the drawings, to receive the tape after it has first been drawn between the rollers 145 and 146 around the roller 144 and upward through the releasing frame 163, as shown.

The roller 144 is crowned considerably to adapt it tothe shape of the tape 132a when it makes a quarter turn in passing from said roller 144 to the rollers 145 and 146. This crowning is provided to prevent the tape from curling on the roller as it would be liable to do, owing to the quarter turn, should the face of the roller 144 be made straight.

past a certain limit regulated by the amount of tape between the safety releasing device and the attachment to the reel, thebarrier tape 13.2"l will be released, without injury either to itself or to the horses, or to the riders, as the tape will have nothing attached to its end when it is released that would be likely to causev damage in striking any object,

when it is drawn out upon the race course by the horses running away. At the same time the end of the tape may be quickly recovered and re-attached to the safety releasing device, no special appliance or skill being required to accomplish this. When the horses have been lined up and are ready to start, it is only necessary for the starter to pull slightly on the cord 119, or, if the electrical connections are used, to press the push button of the switch 102, the apparatus being in either case absolutely under the control of the starter. This object is kept especially in view in the design of our improved starting device, all ofthe details being arranged to carry out this object accordingly, such as the passing of the releasing cord 109 downward on the side of the apparatus away from the track to obviate the possibility of a horse or rider striking the releasing cord and releasing the barrier. A

When the arm of the apparatus is released, it springs upward and is'caught between the members of the bifurcated stop spring 168, which bears upward against the forward extension 169 of the top 23 of the head 1, and is 105 held thereto by means of the bolt 17() and the spiral spring 171. The members of the stop spring 168 are reinforced by the clip 172 and the distance between the Lmembers is regulated by means of nuts on said clip 172. 110 The members of the spring 168 are so adjusted that when the channel arm 13 springs upward, it is wed ed between them and held in its raised positlon. When it is desired to lower the arm again it is pulled downward 115 bringing the stop spring 168 with it against the pressure of the spiral spring 171 and drawing the flaring ends 173 and 174 of the members of the stop spring 168 against the spread pins 175 and 176, drawing the mem- 120 bers slightly apart and releasing the channel arm 13, after which the spiral spring 171 draws the stop spring 168 back to its normal position. The `spread pins 175 and 176 are secured in the lower forward part of the 125 head 1. The purpose of such a stop spring 168, as well as of the spring arm 14 on the channel arm 13, is to cushion the blow of the upward swinging arm and relieve the strain upon the parts which would be occasioned by the powerful action of the spring 27 which must be adjusted to give quick results.

The channel arm 13 is provided with the sheave 177 around which the cable 21 is wound in drawing the arm downward, thus allowing the spiralspring 27 to have uniform effect, regardless of the position of the arm. This sheave 177 is provided with perforations 178 and 179 and the head 1 is provided with a perforation 180 (Fig. 1) with which the opening 179 is adapted to coincide when the arm occupies its vertical or restrained position, so that the pin 4 may be removed from the position shown and inserted through the opening 180 and into the opening 179 to hold the arm in restrained position regardless of the action of the releasing device. Thus, when it is desired to remove the apparatus from the post 2, the arm may be thus secured in restrained position. The channel post 2 may then be removed from the pole 7.

It will -be thus seen th at our improved race course barrier and starting device is substantially self-contained, while being provided with the necessary adjustments and precautions making its use convenient, and dispensing with the necessity of an expert mechanic to care for it. The nicety of adjustment provided allows simultaneous action of the apparatus on both sides of the track, the powerfulness of the actuating device permits of a nearer approach to instantaneous action, the elasticity of the actuated parts diminishes the jar and strain that would otherwise be occasioned by the necessary powerful action of the apparatus, while the simplicity and ease of operation of the safety releasing device obviate the danger of injury to the apparatus itself or by the apparatus to surrounding bodies.

In using the gong with the mechanically operated apparatus, the gong is provided with a hammer 18]. pivoted at 182 provided with a stop 183 and with an actuating spring 184 and adjusting means 185. This arm is held in restrained position by means of the trigger 186 pivoted at 187 and having the angular extension 188. This angular exten sion 188 embraces the tension rod 189 and is engaged by the nut 190 working on threads 191. This trigger 186 is normally held upward in engagement with the lower end of the hammer 181 by means of the spring 192 supplied between the trigger 188 and the bracket 193 which is attached to the base 194 of the gong apparatus. A guide 195 is also attached to the base 194 and the tension rod 189 slides in this guide and in the bracket 198. The spiral spring 196 is confined within the guide 195 and its pressure is adjusted by means of the nut 197, to take up the slack and increase the tension of the gong operating cord 198. This gong operating cord 198 is secured to the tension rod 189 by a clamp 199 similar to the clamp 181 used on the tension rod 105 of the retaining and releasing device. The cord 198 passes around a swiveled pulley 200 and is attached to the lower end of the tension rod 105 by means of an eye 201 secured thereto. The swiveled pulley 200 is mounted on a hook 202 in a brace 208attached to the pole 7. lt is desirable to place the gong at some distance to the rear of the horses and thus provide it with the cord 198, of some length, owing to the fact that were the gong placed ad jacent to the barrier, it would be too near the heads of the horses and cause confusion in the starting of the race.

It will be apparent that our invention is capable of modificationv witlmut departing from the scope and spirit thereof.

Having described our invention, \\'e claim:

1. ln a racc course barrier and starting device, an arm, a pivotal support for said arm upon which said arm is adapted to swing, a tape supported and guided by said arm, means for controlling the swinging ofI4 said arm and means for permitting lengthwise movement of' the barrier to allow it lo pay out and recede in harmony with the movements of the horses against and away from it, while said barrier is connected to and supported by the arm independeiitly of the movement of said arm, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a pivotal support vfor said arm, a reel pivoted adjacent to said arm, a tape supported by said reel and supported and guided by said arm, means for swinging said arm, and means for controlling the swinging of said arm, substantiallj as and for the purposes herein specified.

8. In a race course barrier and starting device, aspindle suitably mounted, a reel mounted thereon, a barrier connected to said reel, means for actuating said reel, a pivoted arm constituting a barrier holder and barrier guide and means for permitting movement of the barrier relative to said arm, substantially as shown and for the purposes specified.

4. In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a head in which said arm is pivotally supported, a reel piw tally supported upon said head concentric with the pivotal support of said arm, a tape supported upon said reel and supported and guided by said arm, whereby said tape is stretchedv by the rotation of said reel, means for swinging said arm mounted upon said head, means for restraining said arm, and means for releasing said arm, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

5. ln a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a removable head in which -said arm is pivotally supported, a tape supported and guided by said arm, means for permitting movement of said tape relative to said arm, a spring mounted upon said head, a connection between said spring and said arm, whereby said spring is adapted to swing said arm and said tape supported thereby, means for restraining said arm in position againstv the action of said spring and means for releasing said arm to the action of said spring, substantially as shown and for the purposes specified.

6. In a race course barrier and starting device, an'arm, a head in which said arm is pivotally supported, a reel pivotally supported by said head concentric to the pivotal 'support of said arm, a tape supported by said reel and supported and guided by said arm, a spring mounted upon said head, and a connection between said spring Aand said arm whereby said spring is adapted to swing said arm and said tape supportedthereby, a re-` taining and releasing device adapted to engage said arm to restrain it against the action -of said spring and means for operating said retaining and releasing device to release said arm to the action of sald spring, substantially -as and for the purposes herein speciiied.

7. In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a removable head in which said arm is pivotally supported to swing through a vertical plane, a portable vertical support for said portable head, means for swinging said arm, and a restraining and releasing device mounted upon said portable vertical support, below said head, adapted to engage said arm to restrain it, and means for operating said retaining and releasing device to release said arm, substantially as shown and for the purposes specified.

8. In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a head in which said arm is pivotally supported, a reel pivotally supported by said head concentric'to the pivotal support of said arm, means for swinging said arm, means for controlllng theswmging of .said arm, a tape supported by said reel and supported and guided by said arm, and a s top spring mounted upon said head and adapted to receive said arm, substantially as and-for the purposes hereinspecified.

9. In a race course barrier and starting' device, an arm, a head in which said arm is pivotally supported, means for swinging said arm, means for controlling theswinging of said arm, a reel mounted upon said head concentric to the pivotal support of said arm, a tape supported by said reel and adapted to be stretched by the rotation thereof, a roller mounted on said arm adapted to guide said tape, means for swinging said arm and means for controlling the swinging of said arm, substantially as and for the purposes speoiiie'd.

10. In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a head in which said arm is` pivotally supported, means for swinging said arr, means for controlling the swinging of said arm, a reel pivotally supported on said head, a roll frame mounted on said arm, rollers mounted therein, a second roll frame mounted on said first mentioned roll frame, a. single roller mounted therein, and a tape supported upon said reel adapted to be stretched by lthe rotation thereof, to pass around said single roller and to pass between said rollers in said first mentioned roll frame, substantially as and 'for the purposes specified herein. l

11. In a race course barrier and. starting deyice, an arm, a head in which said arm is pivotally supported, means for swinging said arm, means for controlling the swinging of said arm, a reel supported by said head, a tape mounted on said reel, means for guiding said tape upon said arm, a releasing clamp attached to said tape, and a releasing frame supported by said arm adapted to operate said releasing clamp, substantially as and for the purposes herein specied.

12,'In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm7 a head in which said arm is pivotally supported, means for swinging said arm, means for controlling the 'swinging of said arm, a reel supported by said head, a tape mounted upon said reel and adapted to be stretched bythe rotation thereof, a link attached to said tape, a releasing clamp pivotally attached to said link, a tape held by said releasing device, a ring on said releasing ol amp by the pressure of which said releasing clamp is adapted to hold said tape, a releasing frame supported by said arm adapted to be engaged by said ring, and a guide for said tape supported by said arm, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

13. In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a head in which said arm is pivotally supported, means for swinging said arm, means for controlling the swinging of said arm, a reel mounted on said head, a tape mounted upon said reel and adapted. to be stretched bythe rotation thereof, a link attached to said tape, members constituting a releasing clamp pivotally attached to said link, a cleat between said members, a tape adapted to pass around said cleat between said members, a ring adapted to embrace said members and. hold them together against said tape when passed around said cleat, a frame supported by said arm through which said tape is adapted to pass, and a guide for' simultaneously to release the barrier tape and sound the gong in unison, substantially as shown and for the purposes specified.

15. In a race course barrier and starting device, reels upon opposite sides of a race track, means for revolving said reels, a barrier tape stretched across the track and having its ends mounted upon said reels, arms adapted to hold said barrier tape, a gong, a gong hammer pivotally mounted and adapted to move in unison with said arms, means for'simultaneously actuating said arms and said hammer, whereby they are caused to operate in unison, and a trigger adapted to control the holding and releasing of said arms, substantially as shownl and 'for the purposes specified.

16. In a race course barrier and starting device, reels upon opposite sides of a race track, means for revolving said reels, arms, a barrier tape adapted to be wound on said reels, means for guiding said barrier tape on said arms, means for holding the barrier tape under tension, a gong, a gong hammer pivotally mounted and adapted to move in unison with said arms, a trigger adapted to control the holding and releasing of each arm, means for holding each trigger in position for holding the adjacent arm, and means for pulling each trigger and sounding said gong simultaneously, substantially as and for the purposes specified. e

17. In a race course barrier and starting device, a reel provided with a winding groove, a yielding barrier, one end of which is secured within said groove, means for holding said barrier taut across thetrack, means for revolving said reel to wind the barrier thereon and means for guiding it away from and out of contact with the horses when the signal for starting is given, substantially as shown and for the purposes speciiied.

18. In a race course barrier and starting device, reels upon opposite sides of a race track, each provided with a winding groove, means for revolving said reels, a barrier tape having an end secured within each groove, revolving guides Jfor said barrier tape, means whereby said barrier tape is held taut across the race track and means 'for automatically releasing said barrier tape from attachment with said reels, substantially as shown and 'for the purposes specified.

19. In a race course barrier and starting device, a reel provided with a groove, means for revolving said reel, a barrier having one end secured within said groove and adapted to yield a limited distance while stretched across the track against the pressure of the horses, revolving guides for said barrier, an arm supporting said guides, a gong, a gong hammer and means for releasing said arm and sounding said gong simultaneously, substantially as shown and for the purposes speciiied.

20. In a race course barrier and starting device, reels upon opposite sides of a race track, a barrier tape having an. end ad apted to be wound on eachv reel, arms supporting and guiding said barrier tape, a gong, a gong hammer pivotally mounted and adapted to move in unison with said arms, spring-actuated triggers and means for releasing said triggers sinuiltaneously to move the arms and barrier tape and sound the gong` in unison, substantially as shown and for the purposes specified.

21. In a race course barrier and starting device, a reel, a barrier adapted to be wound on said reel, a gong, an arm supporting and guiding said. barrier, a gong hammer pivotally mounted. and adapted to move in unison with said arm, a tension rodv adapted to aetnvate said trigger, and a spring adapted to return said tension rod to its normal position., substantially as and lor the purposes herein specified.

22. In a race course barrier and starting device, a spindle suitably mounted upon a removable head, a reel suitably mounted upon said spindle, an arm pivoted on said. spindle, means for connecting a spring to said arm and said spring adapted to move said arm, a barrier connected to said reel and to said arm and means for controlling the swinging of said arm, substantially as shown and for the purposes specified.

23. In a race course barrier and starting device, a spindle, a reel mounted thereon, a barrier connected to said reel, an arm pivoted on said spindle, a sheave connected to said. arm, a cable connected. with said sheave, and a spring adapted to move said. cable to actuate said. arm, substantially as andv for the purposes herein specified.

24. In a race course barrier and starting device, a spindle, a reel mounted thereon, a barrier connected to said reel, an arm pivoted on said spindle, a sheave connected. to.

said arm, a cable connected with. said sheave, a head on said cable, and a coil spring adapted to engage with said head to move said cable to actu ate said arm, substantially as and for the purposes herein specilied.

l25. In a race course barrier and starting device, a spindle, a reel mounted thereon, a barrier connected to said. reel, an arm pivoted on said spindle, a cable connected to said arm, a spring adapted to move said. cable to actuate said arm, and a device adapted to hold. and release said arm, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.

26. In a race course barrier and starting device, a spindle, a reel mounted thereon, a

barrier connected to said reel, means 'for actuating said reel, a piveted arm lconstituting a barrier holder and barrier guide, and rollers mounted on said guide, substantially as and for the purposes herein speciiied.

27. In a race course barrier and starting device, spindles, a reel mounted upon each spindle, means for actuating each reel, arms constituting barrier holders, a barrier tape connected to said reels and to said arms and adapted to play relative to said arms, a gong, and means for simultaneously releasing said arms and sounding said gong, substantially as shown and for the purposes specified.

28. In a race course barrier and starting device, a spindle, a reel mounted thereon, a yielding barrier connected to said reel, means for actuating said reel, an arm, a revolving barrier guide thereon, a gong, and means for simultaneously releasing said arm and sound# ing said gong, substantially as shown and for the purposes speciied.

29. In a race course barrier and starting device, a spindle, a reel mounted thereon, means for actuating said reel, an arm, a barrier guide thereon, a retaining roll adapted to hold said arm, a trigger adapted to hold said retaining roll in engagement with said arm, a gong, a gong hammer, a tension rod, and means for connecting said tension rod and said gong hammer whereby said arm may be released and said gong sounded simultaneously, substantially as and for the purposes herein specified. y

30. In a race course barrier 'and starting device, a barrier holder, means for actuating said holder, a retaining and releasing device for said holder, a tension rod connected to said retaining and releasing device, a cord for actuating said tension rod and means for detachably connecting said cord and said tension rod, substantially as and for the pur- I poses herein specified.

31. In a race course barrier and starting device, a support, a post mounted thereon, a stirrup on said post, a head having a member adapted to engage said stirrup and having a hook adapted to take over and engage the top of said post, whereby said head is made detachable, a second stirrup on said post and a retaining and releasing device adapted to be detachably mounted therein, substantially, as shown and for the purposes specified. f

32. In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a support, a head detachably mounted thereon, a pin adapted to hold said head in position upon said support and to be removed therefrom and inserted in openings to lock the head and swinging arm togetherv and hold the latter in restrained position to Jfacilitate removal oi the apparatus from the support, substantially as shown and for the purposes specified.

33. In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a pivotal support for said arm, a yielding tape supported and guided by said arm and adapted to move relative thereto, means for swinging said arm, engaging means whereby said arm is held in restrained position, aframe in which said endevice, an arm, a head in which said arm isk pivotally supported to swing through a vertical plane, a spring on said head adapted to swing said arm, a reel pivotally mounted upon said head concentric to the pivotal support of said arm, a tape supported by said reel and supported and guided by said arm, a frame mounted below said head, a retaining roll frame pivotally mounted in said `frame, a retaining roll pivotally mounted in said retaining roll frame and adapted to engage said arm to hold it in restrained position against the action of said vspring on said head, a trigger pivotally mounted in said frame and adapted to engage with said retaining roll' frame to hold it in position whereby said retaining roll may engage with said arm, and means for disengaging said trigger from said retaining roll frame, substantially as and for the purposes herein speciied. y, y

35. In a race course barrier and starting device, an arm, a head in which said arm is pivotally secured, a spring on said head adapted to swing said arm through a vertical plane, a reel pivotally mounted on said head concentric to the pivotal support of said arm, a tape supported by said reel, and supported and guided'by said arm, a frame mounted below said head, a retaining roll frame pivotally mounted in said frame, a retaining roll pivotally mounted in said retaining roll frame adapted to engage said arm to hold it in restrained position against the action oi said spring on said head, a trigger ivotally mounted in said retaining roll rame and adapted to engage with said retaining roll frame to hold said retaining roll in position for engagement with said arm, a spring adapted to remove said retaining roll frame from said position, an angular eXtension on said trigger, a tension rod slidably mounted on said frame and provided with means for engagement with said angular eX- tension, whereby the engagement of said trigger with said retaining roll frame may be controlled and a releasing cord secured to said tension rod whereby said tension rod may be operated, substantially as and for the purposes herein speciiied.

36.' In a race course barrier and starting device, supports mounted at opposite sides of a race course, heads mounted on said supports, arms pivotally supported in said heads to swing through a vertical plane, springs mounted on said heads adapted to swing said arms, reels mounted on said heads concentric to the pivotal supports of said arms, a tape mounted upon each of said reels, 'a safety releasing clamp secured to each of said tapes, a barrier tape having one of its ends secured in each oi said safety releasing clamps, guides for said barrier tape mounted upon said arms whereby said barrientape 1s held across said race course, a spring attached to each of said reels, and adapted to rotate said reels, whereby said barrier tape is yieldingly stretched across said race course, a frame mounted on said supports below said heads, a retaining roll frame pivotally mounted in each oi said frames, a retaining roll pivotally mounted in each of said retaining roll frames, a trigger pivotally mounted in each of said Jframes, adapted to engage with said retaining roll Jframe whereby said retaining rolls may be held in engagement with said arms to restrain them against the action of said springs on said heads, a spring mounted in each of said frames adapted to remove said retaining roll frame vfrom said engagement, an angular extension on each trigger, a tension rod slidably mounted upon each of said frames and having means for engaging with said'angular extension whereby the engagement of each trigger with its retaining roll frame may be controlled, a releasing cord secured to both of said tension rods across said race course, means for guiding said releasing cord, springs mounted adjacent to said tension rods, means whereby said springs engage said tension rods to take up the slack in said releasing cord, and means for adjusting the pressure of said springs whereby the tension -of said releasing cord may be regulated, substantially as and for the pur oses herein speciiied.

37. n a race course barrier and starting device, a head, side members on said head, a spindle mounted in said side members, an arm pivoted on said spindle, means for 'holding said spindle stationary against rotative and lateral movement in said side members, reel casings rotatively mounted upon said spindle and forming a reel, a spring hub mounted on said spindle within said reel casing, means Jfor securing said spring hub against rotation, a spring secured to said spring hub and to said reel formed by said reel casings, whereby said reel may be rotated, a tape secured to said reel and adapted to be wound thereon by the rotation thereof, a guide for said tape upon said arm whereby said tape may be guided across a race course and be stretched by winding on said reel, a spring mounted upon said head, a connection between said spring and said arm whereby said arm may be swung upon said spindle, and means for restraining said arm against the action of said spring, and for releasing said arm to the action of said spring whereby said tape may be raised and maintained in stationary position by rotation of said reel simultaneously with the swinging el said arm, substantially as and -lior the purposes .herein specified.

38. In a race course barrier and starting device, a head, side members on said head, a top to saidhead, a spindle horizontally mount;- ed in said side members and secured against rotation and lateral movement therein, a reel pivotally mounted upon said spindle, an arm pivoted on said spindle between said side members, a sheave concentric with and adapted to rotate with said arm, a spiral spring vertically supported upon the top ol" .said head, a casing slidably mounted in the top of said head and surrounded by said spiral spring, means for engagement between said casing and said spiral spring, a plug mounted in said casing, means for adjusting the pressure of said spiral spring, means l'or adjusting the position o'l'A said plug in said casing, a cable rigidly secured in said plug at one of its ends, secured to said arm at the other of its ends, and adapted to be wound on said sheave, whereby, when said arm is swung downward on said spindle, said spiral spring will be compressed and the leverage exerted by it upon said arm will remain unit form, means for restraining said arm when it is swung downward, and means -l'or releasing said arm whereby it may be swung upward by the pressure of the spiral spring, substatitially as and 'for the purposes herein speeiled.

39. ln a race course barrier and starting device, a head, side members upon said head, a top to said head, a spindle horizontally mounted in said side members and seenred against rotative and lateral movement therein, a reel pivoted on said spindle, an arm pivoted on said spindle between said side members, a tape secured to said `reel and supported and. guided by said arm, a compression spring on said top, connections between said spring and said arm whereby said arm may be swung upward by the. action ol said spring, a double stop-spring bearing upwardly against the lower side oi said top, means for yieldably supporting said stopspring against downward movement, spread pins mounted in said side members adapted .to spread said stop-spring when it moves downward, a clip secured on said stop-spring to reinforce it against spreading by said spread pins, and adjustable, whereby said stop-spring may be maintained in position to receive said arm when it is swung upward, to stop and hold said arm in upward position, and to release said arm when spread by said spread pins, means for holding said arm in restrained position against the action of said compression spring on said top, and means for releasing said arm to the action oll said spring, substantially as and -for the purposes herein speei'lied.

40. In a race course barrier and starting device, posts placed on opposite sides ofa race course, heads composed of side members and tops mounted upon said posts, means for removably securing said heads to said posts, spindles horizontally mounted in said side members, cotter pins extending through said spindles adjacent to the side members of said heads, pins extending through the heads of said cotter pins and secured in said side members whereby said spindles are secured against rotation, arms having channels in their lower sides pivoted on said spindles between said side members, sheaves forming parts of said channel arms and concentric with said spindles, perforations in said sheaves, perforations in said side members adapted to coincide with said perforations in said sheaves and adapted to receive a pin to prevent the rotation of said channel arms, spring arms in their channels, means for securing said spring arms against longitudinal movement in said channels, clips embracing said channel arms and said spring arms, brackets secured on said clips above said channel arms, stay rods adjustably secured in said brackets, collars on said stay rods rigidly embracing said spring arms near their free ends, spiral springs mounted vertically upon the tops of the heads, casings vertically and slidably mounted in said tops and surrounded by said spiral springs, adjustable means of engagement between said casings and said spiral springs whereby the pressure of said spiral springs may be adjusted, plugs Secured in said casings, means for adjusting said plugs in said casings, cables having their ends rigidly secured in said plugs and having their other ends passing through said channel arms and said spring arms adjacent to said sheaves, means for securing said ends of said cables below said spring arms whereby said cables may be wound on said sheaves when said arms are swung downward, and whereby the force of said spiral springs exerted on said arms remains uniform, double 'stop-springs bearing upwardly against the tops of said heads, means for securing said stop-springs yieldably against downward movement, spread pins in said side members adapted to spread said stop-springs when` they move downward, clips secured on said stop-springs to reinforce them against the action of said spread pins and adjustable whereby said stop-springs may be maintained in position to stop and hold said channel arms when they swing upward, and to release said channel arms when drawn downward, reel casings pivoted on the spindles and forming reels, spring hubs mounted on said spindles within said reel casings, slots in said spring hubs and pins in said spindles adapted to engage within said. slots toallow of the lateral displacement of said spring hubs,springs secured to said spring hubs and adjustably secured to said reel casings whereby said spring hubs and said springs may be removed from said reel casings, means for removably securing said reel casings on said spindles, tapes secured to said reels formed by said reel casings, and adapted to be wound thereon by the action of said springs, links attached to said tapes, members pivotally attached to said links constituting safety clamps, engaging surfaces on said members, cleats within Asaid safety clamps between said members, rings embracing said engaging surfaces on said members adapted to exert pressure thereon to clamp them together, double roller frames secured on the spring arms adjacent to and reinforced by the collars on the stay rods, single roller frames secured to said double roller frames, and releasing frames adjustably secured to said single roller frames, hooks se- -cured to said releasing frames adapted to enter the links, when the rings engage with the releasing frames, single rollers mounted in said single roller frames, vertical rollers pivotally mounted in pairs in said double roller frames, and a barrier tape adapted to pass between said double rollers and around said single rollers through said releasing frames, and around said cleat between said members constituting saidreleasing clamps, to be clamped therebetween by the pressure thereon, and to be released therefrom when the ring is drawn by the releasing frame from the engaging surfaces on the members of the releasing clamps, bifurcated frames mounted on said posts below said heads, means for removably securing said bifurcated frames on said posts, retaining roll frames pivotally mounted in said bifurcated frames to swing downwardly, retaining rolls horizontally and pivotally mounted in said retaining roll frames, adapted to engage said spring arms when they are drawn downward against the action of said spiral springs on said heads, pins in said retaining roll frames upon which said retaining rolls are pivotally mounted, means for securing said pins in said retaining roll frames against lateral displacement whereby said pin may rotate with said rolls, triggers pivotally mounted in said bifurcated frames and in engagement with said retaining roll frames, means for adjusting the engagement between the said triggers and said retaining roll frames, angular extensions on saidy triggers, springs mounted in said bifurcated frames, tension rods connecting said springs with said retaining roll frames whereby said springs may draw said retain- 'ing roll frames downward when released by said triggers, brackets vertically mounted on said bifurcated frames, tension rods slidably mounted in said brackets, adjustable means on said tension rods for engagement with said extensions on said triggers, whereby said triggers may be drawn from engagement with said retaining roll frames, springs conined between said extensions and said brackets whereby said triggers are held in engagement with said retaining frames, eccentric clamps on said tension rods, a releasing cord secured within said eccentric clamps and passing across said race course, a lever pivoted to oneof said heads, a link pivoted on said lever, a lug on said link, a loop in said releasing cord passing around said lug whereby said lever will act on said releasing cord to draw said tension rods upward and disengage said triggers from said retaining roll frames, springs conlined within said brackets around the said tension rods and l i l l l l l l l l l l sra-162 adjusting nuts on said tension rods in engagenient with said springs whereby the tension l substantially as and for the purposes .herein 20 specilied.

DAVID MCGLADI ICHY. JACOB PAW O l i( )WSR I., lVitnesses:

JAMEs N. RAMsnY, YETTA VAINER. 

